Apply critical thinking skills

Editor: All of my life, I have heard how important it is to get a higher education. People with higher education are supposed to have something called “critical thinking skills.” They assume leadership roles in our communities; they become teachers, architects, public safety officials and politicians.

I have always been interested in the news. Since the days of Cronkite and Rather, I have seen reports of casualties in Tornado Alley on multiple occasions. In many cases the damage was the same as what we are seeing in this most recent event.

While watching the coverage of the tornadoes, I heard that the two elementary schools in Oklahoma hit by a tornado had no safe rooms, no dedicated true shelter. One source said some children drowned in a basement.

An existing building can be retrofitted with a safe room. There have even been grants for individuals to put these in their homes.

Once again the people who want to provide an education for our children have contributed in great degree to their deaths by not providing a safe environment. Although there are multiple causes, I just have to ask: How many times will children die at school before these people with “critical thinking skills” figure out how to provide a safe place for students to learn?